The Flash Annual #2 Review and *SPOILERS*

Same Old Song and Dance

Written By: Joshua Williamson

Art By: Scott Kolins, Luis Guerrero
Letters By: Wes Abbott

Cover Price: $4.99

Release Date: January 30, 2019

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Perhaps it is unfair to this book that I am reviewing it at this time. I have just finished by review of Flash #63 (please check that out if you haven’t already) and frankly, it has put a bad taste in my mouth. Considering this annual is a direct continuation of that book, I’m not looking forward to it that much. That said, the review must be done and I will attempt to review this book as fairly as possible. However, the Flash book has been far from one of my favorites at the current moment which is such a shame because I really liked this book when it first started in Rebirth. However, that’s the way things go sometimes. Instead, let’s just jump right into this issue and see where it takes us.

We start with Bart Allen who has arrived in the present. He is searching for his family, and is racing around everywhere but is unable to find them. Meanwhile, we see Barry outside of the Kent home holding Wally’s old uniform. His memories of Wally flash through his mind. In his mourning, Barry races off going faster and faster until he breaks into the Speed Force. He calls out for his friend but he can find him nowhere. However, he finds someone else inside the Speed Force; none other than Godspeed. Godspeed attacks before running off so, of course, Barry races off after him.

Flash chases him outside of the speed force and the two race off to Iron Heights. Meanwhile, Bart is still running around looking for his friends and isn’t able to find them anywhere. At Iron Heights, Avery and Wally (other Wally) are visiting Meena. The group is able to catch up for a moment but then Godspeed and Flash come racing into the prison. Flash tries to stop Godspeed but he begins attacking guards and makes contact with the other three speedsters when he has the chance. During the fight, Godspeed reveals that Wally is dead to the other Wally and Avery. Flash is able to get the upper hand and pummels Godspeed horribly. However, when Wally realizes what he’s done, Godspeed uses the opportunity to get the upper hand and run away.

However, he is stopped by Bart Allen. He gets a message to retreat and that he isn’t ready for this new speedster yet and so he disappears into the Speed Force. Back at Star Labs, Barry checks all of the speedsters and they all seem fine and healthy. However, Wally is displeased with Barry once again. In true Barry fashion, he has yet to inform Iris about the situation with Wally. Barry knows that he is right and rushes home to inform Iris. He waits a moment, wanting to stay in the moment so he doesn’t have to tell her but he moves forward. He tells her. Her mourning is much angrier and she demands that he do something and that superheroes come back all the time. He comforts her as the main issue ends. We get two epilogues, one with Bart Allen that sets up Young Justice and one with Godspeed reporting into the person he is working for which is going to be the main villain for the Flash in the coming year. This is where the issue leaves us.

This issue isn’t that bad. There are some good points, the art is pretty good and the action scenes are very well done. However, it is frustrating to see Barry continue to make the same mistakes over and over again. I know that it’s one of his flaws but so much of this book in the past year has been about Barry making things right with Iris and to see him distance himself from her again and hide what he knows was disappointing. I felt like Wally in this issue when he was criticizing Barry for doing that very thing. I know it was an extreme situation and everything but it feels like we’ve come so far with Barry wanting to change for the better with Iris and in this issue we are back to square one. Not a bad issue though. It was fine.

Bits and Pieces:

This issue doesn’t really set the world on fire. It’s completely fine. The art is good and the story is pretty enjoyable, if very sad. Unfortunately, this story does take away from a lot of the character development we have seen from the Flash in the past year. You can argue that it is an extreme situation or just an annual but it’s still disappointing.

5.5/10